[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 139 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF VFW RHINE POST 2729

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 26, 2012

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 80th anniversary 
of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars Rhine Post 2729. Their 80 years of 
dedication and service is certainly a milestone deserving our 
recognition, and I am pleased to congratulate them on this special 
occasion.
  Rhine Post 2729's history of service began in 1932, after receiving 
their official Congressional Charter on October 29th. It was named 
``Rhine'' after Mr. Leo Spychalski, a Polish-American who founded the 
post and shared the nickname. Mr. Spychalski served in the U.S. Army 
and participated in the Allied offensive along the German western front 
in World War I. Following Germany's surrender, Mr. Spychalski was 
stationed as a guard along the Rhine River. After the war, he also 
served as the first Post Commander at Post 2729 for 6 years.
  Located in Garfield Ridge, a community in Chicago, Illinois, Rhine 
Post 2729 has grown from its original 17 members to roughly 125 members 
today. For 80 years now, these men and women have served their nation 
with courage and integrity, not only in active military duty overseas, 
but also in their local community.
  Rhine Post 2729 is an active organization, and they maintain a legacy 
of public outreach and service. Of their many activities, they 
regularly volunteer at the local Veterans Administration hospital and 
sponsor local community events.
  Over the years, I have had the pleasure of building a relationship 
with Rhine Post 2729 and their members. It has been a privilege working 
with them to host a senior fair, and an honor to have spoken many times 
at their Memorial Day services at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, 
Illinois.
  Today I stand to commend Rhine Post 2729 for their contributions to 
community and country, and to thank their members for their sacrifices. 
I ask you to join me in honoring them as we congratulate them on their 
80th anniversary.

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